LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar did not appear before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday to record his statement in cyber stalking charges against him.

The FIA cybercrime Lahore had summoned him in connection with the ‘cyber stalking’ charges leveled against him by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi.

Shoaib Akhtar on social media said that he would respond to the FIA notice after consulting his lawyer. “(I have) just received an absolutely vague, incomprehensible, imprecise and ambiguous notice from FIA, Lahore. I will issue my response after due consultation with my lawyer,” Shoaib said in a tweet.

Earlier, Taffazul had sent a defamation notice of Rs 100 million to Shoaib for using “inappropriate and derogatory” language against him in a video clip and he filed a complaint with FIA alleging that he committed offence of cyber-stalking against him.

Shoaib, who has often been involved in controversial incidents during the past as well due to his aggressive style, had criticised Taffazul Rizvi in his YouTube channel, pointing out the flaws of the PCB’s legal department. He alleged that Taffazul had always been interested in taking high profile cricketers of the country to court to earn a name for himself.

The maverick pacer had also criticized the PCB, alleging that it has failed to curb the menace of match-fixing by allowing the tainted players to come back to cricket set up after serving their punishments.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2020